Theatro Municipal

When the Theatro Municipal (Praça Ramos de Azevedo, tel. 11/222-8698, tel. 11/223-3022, www.theatromunicipal.com.br) was constructed, São Paulo was in a glamorous phase. All that it lacked was a little European flair to give the city that special charm it needed. This fabulous opera house, inspired by the Paris Opera House, is a mixture of renaissance baroque and Roman styles. Built in 1903 and inaugurated in 1911, the Theatro functions to this day as the city’s principal theater, presenting dance, opera, classical music, and pop music events all week long. The building itself and the various sculptures inside and out are well worth a look. Most impressive are the two breathtaking mosaics in the inner foyer at the top of the main staircase, depicting colorful scenes from Wagner operas. Also impressive are the large sculptures of Atlantis, serving as pillars on the outside of the main entrance. Featured in the Theatro are operas at 6 p.m. every Monday, chamber music at noon on Thursdays, and pop music on the last Friday of each month at 1 p.m. There are presentations at 9 p.m. every night, sometimes featuring the São Paulo Symphony Orchestra or the São Paulo Dance Company, not to be missed. The Theatro is in easily accessed on foot from the Praça da República or Anhangabaú metro stations.